sculptural steel spiral staircase reorganizes circulation in a century-old shanghai house

A STEEL SPIRAL staircase REDEFINES A 100-YEAR-OLD HOUSE IN SHANGHAI

Designed by Uchida Shanghai / Mitsuhiro Shoji, this renovation transforms a 100-year-old house on Yu Yuan Road in Shanghai through a central architectural intervention that restores daylight, ventilation, and spatial continuity. The project reconsiders the relationship between circulation and domestic life while preserving the character of the century-old residence.

Over time, successive alterations had enclosed the original light garden to increase interior floor area, resulting in a dark, poorly ventilated layout. The renovation addresses these conditions by introducing a sculptural spiral staircase at the center of the house. Fabricated from bent steel plate, the irregular spiral functions as both a circulation element and the primary organizing feature of the interior.

Positioned beneath a renewed opening, the staircase allows daylight to penetrate deep into the house while encouraging natural ventilation throughout the living spaces. The intervention transforms the former stairwell into a vertical void that connects floors through light, air, and movement, establishing a new spatial relationship between the different levels of the residence.

all images by Eiichi Kano

The new construction integrates steel, bamboo, and concrete

The project by Uchida Shanghai, led by architect Mitsuhiro Shoji, responds to the surrounding historic neighborhood while introducing a contemporary architectural layer within the existing structure. Rather than restoring the house to a previous state, the design retains existing elements and combines them with a restrained material palette and carefully integrated new construction.

Traditional local materials, passive ventilation strategies, daylight, and the reuse of existing components contribute to the renovation’s environmental performance. Through a limited number of architectural interventions, the project redefines the interior organization of the house while maintaining its connection to the urban fabric and the history of the neighborhood.

the renovation centers on a sculptural spiral staircase that brings daylight and ventilation into the house

the project reconsiders circulation within the structure of a century-old residence

successive alterations had gradually enclosed the original light garden

the staircase is fabricated from bent steel plate

existing architectural elements are retained and reconfigured

bedroom

third-floor hobby room

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plans - sections

site

project info:

name: A 100-Year-Old House in Shanghai

architect: Uchida Shanghai | @uchida_shanghai

lead architect: Mitsuhiro Shoji

location: Yu Yuan Road, Shanghai, China

area: 190 sqm

photographer: Eiichi Kano | @eiichikano

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edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom